Backing sought for Senate session

The Senate has asked relevant agencies to support calls that a special Senate session be held on April 24, first Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai said yesterday.

Speaking as caretaker Senate Speaker, Surachai said there would not be a special Senate session on Friday because caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has refused to authorise the necessary Royal Decree, citing a legal technicality.

He argued that Article 132 of the Constitution states that, in order to perform tasks such as appointing regents, or appointing and impeaching members of independent agencies, the Senate can hold a special session when the House of Representatives is in recess or is dissolved. Surachai dismissed the government’s claim that the tasks the Senate needs to carry out in a special convention are not urgent, saying they would be beneficial to the state and must be completed urgently.

Though the Senate has faced delays in considering impeaching a political officeholder, the official in question will have to face a grilling sooner or later, Surachai said, adding that the delay could affect the Senate’s work schedule.